Improvement in invalid-bedsteads



2 Sheets-Sheet. 2.

J. D. SINCLAIR.

Invalid-Bedstead. Y

Patented Jan. 7, 18,79.

N.FETER5, FHOT0 UTHOGRAPNER. WASHINGTON. D. C.

nfrnnrr @anion JAMES D. SINCLAIR, OF BRCOKLYN, NEW YORK.

IM PROVEM ENT IN INVALI D-BEDSTEADS.

Specification forming part of Letters Patent No. 211,114, dated January7, 1879; application filed May 3, 1878. r l

To all whom it may concern: l

\ tion drawn out.` Fig. 3 is a perspective view lof the commode-chamberas it appears when detached from the bedstead, the commode-box lbeingshown as withdrawn from its contaiiiing-chamber. Fig. 4t is a plan, andFig. 5 a longitudinal section, ofthe improved bedstead, the operatingparts being shown in both gures in a position similar to the oneindicated at Fig. 2. Fig. 6 is a perspective view of the sliding tabledetached from the side rails.

Like letters in all the iigures indicate correspondingparts.

The object of my invention is to arrange a bedstead for the use ofinvalids so that the person need not leave the bed in order to occuppy aseat upon the commode, and so that the attendants may easily and quicklylift the patient to an upright position without the necessity of bendingover the bed and raising him with the hands; and to accomplish this it(the invention) consists in dividing the bedbottom into two parts, theupper one of which is hinged and movable vertically, while the other oneis made to slide horizontally through an opening beneath the stationaryfoot-board and between the side rails of the bed, the several partsbeing suitably constructed and ar ranged, and provided with certainpeculiar operating mechanisms, as will be hereinafter iirst fullydescribed, and then pointed out in the claims.

A A are the side rails of the bed, supported in the usual manner by theuprights. Between these side rails I hinge the upper section, B, of thebedbottom, as at a, which hinge is lo- (tted at about the longitudinalcenter of the structure. The section C, which forms the remainingportion of the bottom, slides upon ways upon the side rails, and isremovable in whole or in part through the aperture formed beneath thefoot-board D;

Connected with the bed-frame, below the bed-bottom, is thecommode-chamber E, located just below the point of hinge a. This isprovided with two doors, one at each end, and with an aperture, b,closed4 by a lid, c, which is hung upon a vertical pivot or hinge, sothat its motions shall be infapractically horizontal plane.

The commode-box F has a sliding cover, d, and is intended to contain theearthenware or other vessel. The projecting end of cover d haslinger-notches upon its under side, so that it may be withdrawn fromover box F when the latter is located within its chamber E; and the boxF is made to slide in suitable Ways formed in the `chamber E, and isremovable through either end or' said chamber.

The upper section, B, is provided with two ratchet-arms, Gr G, one uponeach side, to balance the strain, and these are moved by means of thepinions g g, through the medium of the hand-crank h, attached to orcoupled with the connecting-shaft i. Suitable pawls lo `7c are hinged tothe side rails, and serve to engage with the ratchet-arms Gr, so as toretain the section B at any desired elevation. These pawls are so formedthat they may be reached oonveniently from beneath the bed-frame inorder that they may be brought to bear against the ratchets, althoughthe section be not elevated sufficiently to enable the arm to be passedthrough the aperture beneath said section.

rIlle lower section, C, as is plainly shown, is made removable throughthe aperture beneath' the foot-board D, for which purpose it is providedwith any convenient form of handle or loop, l, at the end.

rlhe two sections may be upholstered, it' desired; or, if a dividedmattress be preferred, the two divisions thereof should be suitablyconnected with the movable parts, so as not to be disturbed during theirmovements. I

The operation of the bedstead is substantially`-` as follows: Wheneverit becomes desirable to elevate the patient, it is only necessary tomove the sheet up or down (in case the ordinary full-length sheet beused) vpast the di;

2 QllLllld.

vision in the bed-bottom, then to pull out the section C as far as maybe necessary to permi this feet to touch the iioor at a convenientdistance beyond the case E, and, finally, to gradually bring him to asitting posture by elevating section B, through the medium ofthe crankand its connected mechanism. This may be done very easily and quickly,and by the eX- ertion of far less power than would be required to raisehim up with the hands. The sheet may most conveniently be divided acrossthe bed, the lower section thereof moving with the part C whenever thebed is opened.

In particular cases, the handling of the patient may require that he benot exposed to drafts of air, in which event it is'onl'y necessary tosurround the bedstead with a curtain or by clothing` of any kind. Theupper clothing upon the bed need notbe removed or very much disturbedduring the manipulations, an d thus the patient may at all times becompletely protected.

The improved bed may bc used as are ordinary invalid-bedsteads, thepatient being elevated and sustained in any desired position.

From the construction and operation indicated it will be observed thatby reason of withdrawing the sliding section through the aperturebeneath the Foot-board, and locating it with respect to the head orhinged section, as shown, the mattress need only be divided into twoparts, and the entire lower part is moved along with the slidingsection.

In former constructions oi'invalid-bedsteads, the mattress has been madein a number of pieces, difficult or inconvenient to manipulate properly.

Previous constructions also show the lower section of mattress and itssupports as sliding upon the bed-frame, together with the movablefoot-board, from which my invention differs in drawing the mattressthrough an aperture beneath the foot-board, which latter remainsstationary, as in the ordinary forms of bedsteads.

The uses and purposes of the lids c and d, y

as well as the end doors of the chamber E, are very well understood7v'and need not be herein explained. .Y

As thus constructed and arranged, the improved bedstead will be foundquite convenient and easy for the patient, while it is simplein itsseveral parts and capable of being operated by very little exertion uponthe part ofthe attendant.

I am aware of several forms of bedsteads in which the bottom, or aportion thereof, is made adjustable in order to elevate the head of theoccupant. VTo these forms I desire it understood that I lay no claim;but,

Having now fully described my invention,

what I do claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is-

l. In an invalid-bedstead, the combination ofthe hinged upper section,operated through the medium ofthe pinions and ratchets, the entire lowersection sliding horizontally through the aperture beneath the stationaryfoot-board and between the side rails of the bed, andthe commodechamber,located beneath the end of the lower section, and adapted to beuncovered thereby, the whole arranged substantiallyas shown anddescribed.

2. The combination ofthe upper section, B, hinged at a, and providedwith ratchet-arms G G, operated through the medium of the pinions g gand pawls if, the lower section, C, made removable through the aperturebeneath the foot-board, and the commode-chamber E, having thehorizontally-moving` lid c and the end doors, said chamber containingthe sliding boX F, the whole being arranged substantially as shown anddescribed.

In testimony that I claim the foregoing I have hereunto set my hand inthe presence of two witnesses.

J AMES D. SINCLAIR. Witnesses:

DANIEL P. VAN Corr, J osnrn MCGANN.

